Door latch



inf -5 G. M. TAGGART, JR

DOOR LATCH & Filed June 22 1925 W. ggg gw ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1925.

GEORGE M. TAGGART, JR

OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

' DOOR LATCH.

Application filed. June 22, 1925.

T0 (ill whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. Taocanr, Jix, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Door Latches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in door latches and the object of my improvement is to-provide a latch having a bolt that is beveled relative to the strike plate or keeper with which it engages so that when locked it will always take up all play and slack and prevent the door from rattling.

This latch is especially well adapted for use on the doors of motor vehicles, but obviously may be used on any door where it is desired to prevent vibration and rattling of the door.

I accomplish these objects by devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein,-

Figure l is a detached view in elevation of a latch constructed in accordance with my invention showing both latch bolts in the maximum extended position.

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing both latch bolts in the maximum retracted position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view substantially on broken line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the latch bolts engaged with a strike or keeper mem ber.

Fig. 4 is a detached perspective view of a strike member.

Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic frag mentary view illustrating a modified form of bolts and strike plate.

Referring to the drawings, throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts, 7 designates a frame plate having a forward end portion 8 that is preferably bent at an incline forming an internal angle slightly in excess of ninety degrees and that is provided with a guide opening or openings 9 through which bolts 10 and 11 may project. A flange 12 extends inwardly from the top edge of the opening 9 to serve as a guide for the bolts 10 and 11.

The bolt-10 is of the usual type having a straight side 13 parallel to the plane of the lock and having an inclined or beveled front end 14 arranged to ride over and snap into a strike or keeper 15 in the usual manner.

The bolt 11, wherein my invention resides, has the usual beveled front end 16 arranged to ride over and snap into engagement with Serial No. 38,653.

strike member 15 and in addition has an inclined top wall 17 arranged to wedge tightly against the strike 15 when the bolt enters the same to prevent the door from rattling.

A handle in the form of a lever 18 that is pivoted as at 19 is provided for retracting the handle 18 in such a manner that said bolt P will be retracted retractile movement of the lever but will not be positively moved outwardly.

A spring 22 urges the bolt 11 into an outwardly projected position.

A guide plate 23 is provided for guiding and holding bolts 10 and 11 and suitable stops are provided for limiting the movements of said bolts.

The head of the bolt 11 is preferably detached from the shank of said bolt so that it may be removed and replaced if it becomes worn.

The strike 15. as shownin Fig. 4, is preferably provided with an inclined wall 24 for engagement with the inclined wall 17 of the bolt 11 and with a wall 25 at right angles to the plane of the strike for locking engagement with the straight wall 13 of the bolt 10.

If a positive locking effect is not desired the bolt 10 may be entirely dispensed with and only the bolt 11 used. The bolt 11 may also engage with a straight wall rather than an inclined wall in a keeper if desired.

In Figs. 1 to i I have shown bolts 10 and 11 of substantially the same maximum thickness arranged to engage within a keeper 15 having the edge of the inclined wall ofiset relative to the edge of the straight wall, see Fig. 4, while in Fig. 5 I have shown a bolt 26 with a straight wall that is thinner than an accompanying bolt 27 with an inclined wall so that the outer edge of an inclined wall portion 28 may be in line with the outer edge of a straight wall portion 29 in a strike or keeper 30.

In the operation of this latch, when a (1001 31, on which the latch is installed is closed, the bolts 10 and 11 striking the keeper 15, will ride over the same and snap into engagement with the respective walls 25 and 24 of the keeper. The bolt 10 forms a positive lock preventing the door from being opened except by retraction of handle 18, while the inclined bolt 11 wedges against the inclined surface 2% tending to draw the door inwardly snugly against the door frame, taking up all slack and looseness and preventing the door from rattling.

If the bolt 10 is omitted the bolt 11 will still hold the door and take up all slack and looseness but may be caused to release or come unlocked if sufficient pressure is applied to the inside of the door.

The inclined bolt, when new and first installed preferably only enters part way into the keeper, leaving ample room for further entering movement as the various parts are subjected to wear.

The foregoing description and accomhaving an inclined outer wall arranged to wedge against the inclined wall of said keeper and means for simultaneously retracting both of said bolts.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of June A. D. 1925. GEORGE M. TAGGART, JR. 

